Photo courtesy of Richard Heathcote | Getty Images
After 62 matches, the 2022 World Cup Final is set in Qatar as soccer powerhouses France and Argentina will square off for the most illustrious trophy in international sports.
Winners of the 2018 World Cup, Les Bleus seek to become the first country to bring home the title in back-to-back tournaments since Brazil accomplished the remarkable feat in 1958 and 1962. Meanwhile, Argentina, led by superstar Lionel Messi, looks to win its first World Cup since 1986 and send Messi off into the sunset on top of the world.
Both countries are seeking their third World Cup trophy and meet in a rematch in what was one of the most thrilling World Cup matches in recent memory when France knocked off Argentina 4-3 in 2018 during the Round of 16 in Russia.
The two sides pitched shutouts in their respective semifinal matches. Argentina ran away from 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia after a penalty strike from Messi to put the South American squad up front. Julián Álvarez followed up with a pair of goals of his own to give Argentina a rousing 3-0 victory to reach the final.
France had a challenge from the gritty Moroccan side that was trying to write a Cinderella story after winning a group that consisted of Croatia, Belgium and Canada, then toppling powerhouses Spain and Portugal during the knockout stage to become the first African nation to reach the semifinals. However, Morocco’s miracle run came to an end when Theo Hernández found the back of the net in the fifth minute to give the French the space they needed to hold the lead. Morocco would get a myriad of looks at scoring but couldn’t break through as Randal Kolo Muani netted the dagger in the 79th minute to send France through with a 2-0 victory.
France and Argentina are set to surely deliver a final to be remembered when they meet inside Lusail Stadium Sunday. Coverage in the United States begins at 9 a.m. ET on FOX with kickoff scheduled at 10 a.m.
